Susie Kneedler, who lives in Ohio, writes:
Have you been following the news of Netanyahu and Michael Oren's gall in claiming the right to build in East Jerusalem? We need to "make" Pres. Obama stop the Billions for the IDF, as well as the loan guarantees in general. The Israeli gov't is slapping us across the kisser with our money. U.S. to Israel: we won't be "suckers" any more.
Seham, a Palestinian-American, offers a counterpoint. From the AP: "Israeli radio stations say the U.S. has told Israel to halt construction project in east Jerusalem." And Seham says:
If Obama gets me all excited that he is going to do something and then he doesn't do anything I will be so pissed that I swear to god I will never vote for another Democrat as long as I live even if it's a fucking Palestinian. Not being dramatic.
[This site's policy against profanity is suspended because Seham is young and Californian]
Weiss adds: In the article Kneedler links, Ambassador Oren, formerly of New Jersey, speaks of Israel's rights to East Jerusalem. How does this square with Obama's promise in Cairo that Christians, Muslims and Jews must mingle in Jerusalem?
Also, note that the Jewish Telegraphic Agency's Washington correspondent, Ron Kampeas, is a settler who owns property in East Jerusalem. Will he be covering this story? Wonder whether he has a point of view?
Related posts:
- Oren choice for Israeli ambassador might further trouble US/Israeli relations and split American Jewish community
- Oren choice for Israeli ambassador might further trouble US/Israeli relations and split American Jewish community
- even Daniel Pipes speaks of ‘apartheid’ and an end to the special relationship
- even Daniel Pipes speaks of ‘apartheid’ and an end to the special relationship
- A Little Hope: An Israeli Settler Speaks of the ‘Rights and Presence’ of Palestinians…
{ 48 comments }
I wondering about the Obama's admin's tactics here. It would be hard to get the US mainstream to go from supporting Israel to putting real pressure on even due to the settlements. However the degree of pressure that could be put on Israel would be greater if they are seen as ignoring the US's request, if the US has at least asked. A lot of people thought the Obama – Netanyahu meeting was crunch point, but more likely it is still to come, as the US has a chance to make Israel choose whether to give in or be seen to be opposing US policy. What exactly is the plan is of course not known to those outside the inner circle – one can still hope. No doubt the majority of the MSM will spin any position in a pro Israel way :( But the headline "Israel ignores US request to XYZ" makes it clear where the blame should be
Seham Habibti, you can stop voting for Democrats now. Libertarians are the only ones who will unconditionally put a stop to this foreign aid boondoggle, the bulk of which is the welfare check for Israel.
Israel continues to shell Palestinians despite the lull sans feeble Pal rockets into Israel: http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10643.sht...
"[This site's policy against profanity is suspended because Seham is young and Californian]" hilarious.
Israel continues to give the finger to its benefactor, Uncle Sam: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009...
Agreed.
Agreed. Ron Paul is the man; but, although I voted for him in the primarys, he had no practical change in the main election, so I voted for Obama over McCain due to this issue.
More Doofus stories from MondoFools. How much are you paying for gasoline now? How many BILLIONS of American dollars have gone to the, oh-so-impoverished Petro-Arabs? Have the Saudis, et al done ANYTHING to support the USA, it's people or American policies? Do the Petro-States EVER vote with the US at the UN or instead maintain their tradition of voting against the US regularly? Did the House of Saud allow Americans to keep Air Force bases on their Holy Islamic Soil ™? Were American Infidels allowed to even MENTION Christmas in public when half a million US troops spent their holiday season saving the Oil Fields for the corrupt Saudis? (Xmas trees are forbidden in S Arabia, etc.) And what is President Hussein-Obama complaining about? Israel is doing what???? Building houses!!! Oy Vey!!! War Crimes!!! Arabs can build and live anywhere (I see them all over here) but JEWS???? HEAVEN FORBID! MondoGoofballs howling at the moon again….
I don't take Obama's comments as a promise to you or to me, Seham. That he is saying anything, and saying it assertively, is already moving mountains.
To Susie Kneedler: Thanks for the suggestion. From now on, I'm calling our needless annual payout to Israel: Freier (sucker) money. Freier $$. As in Stop the Freier Payout to Israel. (Another spelling is Frayer, which is anglicized and probably easier for some to remember.) Phil, Adam: you should adopt this adjective.
Thou shalt not be a freier By Shahar Ilan http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/818353.html
Aljazeera and Electronic Intifada, talk about trusted news sources
Welcome to "ye old grand sucker scheme" called foreign aid, the majority of which per capita goes to Israel. This is the plan where the peoples money leaves to other countries but is earmarked for "USA equipped defense spending," almost everyone has to spend every cent on this except Israel – who gets to take a percentage and spend it on its own defense industry development. Of course, the money to most of the foreign countries that is spent on "defense," is spent to oppress their own people with a home grown "national security state" as small ruling moneyed minority lives like kings. The spending on US defense equipment goes into the massive military industrial complex here, and hence in another tiny minority's pocket for the most part. This is not exhaustive, I could elaborate more, but this is not the venue to unpack the mess.
Yeah, when we have the "objective" USA MSM; readers just read the source I gave you. Judge for yourself the content.
The Arab nations have no "special relationship" with the USA. Nor do they get anything they don't pay for through the nose. All Americans realize the Arab regimes despise their own masses and only want to stay in power. Nobody claims they are remotely democracies. However the USA interest there is access to the world's most important commodity: cheap oil. Cf: Israel offers the USA nothing. And our sweetheart deals with Israel alienates us from the rest of the World. And costs bankrupt USA way too much with no pay out except to World Jewry; considering the USA is 2% Jewish, that's no good at all for the USA, as distinguished from it's petty 2% constituency portion who look oh Israel as an insurance policy paid for by goy premiums.
Well, I agree that he at least stated what former POTUSs should have, that is, that settlements were the most key obstacle to any sort of peace; OTOH, merely spouting good rhetoric once in Cairo is not moving mountains. Moving mountains will start, if ever, by Obama saying in public for the world to hear that the USA will cut off all aid to Israel unless they get with the humanitarian program.
AlJazeera IS a trusted news source. Thank God it's arrived in DC. AlJazeera is one of the best TV anywhere these days.
If this story is true, and it appears to be, I wonder if this isn't going to be the event that publicly opens the so-far muted breach between Israel and Obama and maybe Obama and American supporters of Israel too. I don't know that there's anything that touches such a chord in the jewish population as Israel, and man this just strikes right at it. And strikes too at the involvement of some U.S. jews in Israeli settlement activity and etc. which may be the *second* third rail of U.S./Israeli relations. Not that things aren't already somewhat at a boil: I see in today's Haaretz an article about a booklet donated for distribution to Israeli troops—published by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of *America* of all people—alleging that the Pope and cardinals at the vatican organized tours of Auschwitz to teach Hizbullah members how to kill jews. (Sort of like … the Protocols of the Elders of Rome.) (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1101158.html) And, Haaretz is reporting therein, the distribution of this booklet was supported by senior IDF officers. (But to its credit stopped immediately by the IDF high command after it learned about same.) I wonder if Obama is really wanting right now what he seems to be flirting with. It's not as if he doesn't have a whole lot of other things on his plate for awhile after all, and so you'd think he want to go a little slower before getting into a big public spat with Israel, but….
We're fed up with your Israeli dreck. And we're fed up paying for it. Get a job. Pay for yourselves.
I read about that at Richard Silverstein's blog. Amazing. He had a similar name for it, but called it "The Protocols of the Elders of Hezbollah". "According to the book, Nasrallah was invited to join a delegation to tour France, Poland and Italy, including the Vatican. Nasrallah could not refuse an invitation from the Vatican, Avi explained: “We knew [the Pope] identified with Hezbollah’s struggle.” The book describes the alleged visit of Hezbollah officials to Auschwitz, led by the Vatican: “We came to the camps. We saw the trains, the platforms, the piles of eyeglasses and clothes … We came to learn … Our escort spoke as he was taught. We quickly explained to him: Every real Arab, deep inside, is kind of a fan of the Nazis.” It would be hilarious if not for the fact that this kind of dreck poisons the mind and leads to hatred and violence. From Ha'aretz: "The book is distributed regularly and everyone reads it and believes it," said one soldier. "It's filled with made-up details but is presented as a true story. A whole company of soldiers, adults, told me: 'Read this and you'll understand who the Arabs are.'"
BTW, your link is broken.Try this: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1101158.html
Susie Kneedler: "…We need to "make" Pres. Obama stop the Billions for the IDF, as well as the loan guarantees in general. The Israeli gov't is slapping us across the kisser with our money. U.S. to Israel: we won't be "suckers" any more…" So, why hasn't he? It's not the first time a US administration has tried to push for sanctions against Israel. And it's not the first time that Netanyahu has successfully intervened by going directly to Congress to put pressure on the President to back off. Netanyahu, according to Martin Indyk, "incited" Congress against the Clinton, I wouldn't be surprised if Sharon and Olmert had the same powers of persuasion during the Bush Administration either. Actually, I believe we have soundbites from both of them bragging about those said powers of influence. It doesn't seem to matter whether Republicans or Democrats are in power, because they seem to work quite happily as team when it comes to Israel. No, all Netanyahu has to do is incite the hardcore Zionists in Congress of which we have many in the Democratic Party [residing in highly influential committees], as well as those in high level positions of influence in the party against Obama — and poof Netanyahu's problem seems to go away. Netanyahu given the ok to give the middle up to the USA and its President. Nothing will change unless we start looking at what is happening here at home — highlighting not only Israel's methods of sabotaging peace, but looking at those in Congress who are also helping Netanyahu sabotage peace, and who are basically representing the interests of another country. We know who they are — but no blog seems to want to take them on. We have exceptional talented bloggers who seem willing to go down the rabbit hole when it comes to exposing certain elements of the Cheney's mafia empire, but appear notably MIA when they refuse to go down certain rabbit trails.
I so very much agree with you. We need to expose each and every peace obstructer in the Congress as painful as that may be. We can start with our two Senators from Maryland, both of whom truly fly under the radar.
Yes, this is like the garbage that gets printed in the USA, Like Dershowitz's A Case For Israel, which is a plagiarist lift of From Time Immemorial, which in turn is a laughing stock in the academic community…lol Yet, this woman, Peters to this day gets speech invitation and Dershowitz is the self-appointed spokesperson for Israel. You cannot make up stories this good…hehehe There is a comedy bit that Woody does in one of his movies that fits Dershowitz perfectly – http://notinhisname.blogdrive.com/archive/cm-08_c... Than you have those who read Israel from a certified fairy tale in the "bible." – so that even if you came up with "artifacts" that this would somehow make it OK to murderously steal as much land as you like in the name of god the real estate agent – SKEWED SCIENCE, COLONIALISM AND ETHNIC CLEANSING http://notinhisname.blogdrive.com/archive/cm-08_c... So the West and Israel constantly try to mold the vision, particularly in the United States, of the "biblical" holy land – and archeology has been used as such – to crystallize for "Christians" in the West that Israeli's and the holy land setting are the only two things that belong together – Palestinians are merely shrugged off as interlopers. This is important because the place where the most support for Israel is found is among fundamentalist Christians (outside of other Zionist Jews), and the United States is where Israel gets it's biggest check. In fact, "biblical" archeology is used as a way to silence Palestinian history. It is a "nationalist archeology," that builds that bridge to an intrusive and brutal occupation, connecting the ancient past with the colonial enterprise.
We don't want your "coupons" that make us buy American weapons only. It harms our weapons industry and really it's only a fraction of our GDP so who needs it. What this Ohioan doesn't get is that we will not ethnically cleanse our land of Jews no matter how much money you throw at it.
Citizen misunderstands the relationship between the USA and the Arab states. The US military keeps them afloat. If not for the US armed forces, many of your favorite dictators would have fallen long ago. This is true for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and more. AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE TO KEEP THE OIL FIELDS PROFITABLE FOR THE PETRO-SHEIKS. Forgot about that, didn't you? How much does it cost the US to keep the armed forces active in the Middle East? And not for Israel… If you think that Israel offers the US nothing in return, then you have no understanding at all of military technology and intelligence. And I am not going to educate you.
MRW, were you talking to the Arabs with their American-funded harems and flying gold bathtubs???
Sin, I think you're onto something. Hussein-Obama is ignoring real issues that demand the attention of the White House and obssessing over, of all things, apartment renovations in Jerusalem. He really seems to be jumping off the deep end. His sanity and reasoning are very much in doubt now.
Yes, Israel's weapons industry — If only the US and Europe had the balls to stop supplying necessary 'parts' for their weapons industry — and to absolutely put a stop allowing US aid to purchase outside or in-country parts etc — Plus, where restrictions could be put on our Zionist Congress members that have us buy 'specifically' from Israel. That indeed would put a major dent in Israel's fragile GDP and arrogance. BETH McCORMICK: "…The Israeli [weapons] industry must sell about three-fourths of what they make to remain viable — it’s hard for them to be choosey…" And that's why the US got a bit miffed when Israel tried to start selling to China. Israel is pathetic. A friend — ha! Also, "…Congress has mandated that Israel receive its FMF [Foreign Military Aid] in a lump sum during the first month of the fiscal year. Once disbursed, Israel’s military aid is transferred to an interest bearing account with the Federal Reserve Bank. Israel has used interest collected on its military aid to pay down its debt (non-guaranteed) to the United States, which, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, stood at $1.2 billion as of December 2005…" Also note, that the US is also paying the interest on that upfront aid money that the US doesn't have — and where Israel gets the chance to to double dip. So with Israel's and their followers ungrateful attitude — when they do fall, and I hope that comes v. soon — I hope they will crash down hard — because I think the world needs it to happen.
CRS US Foreign Aid to Israel http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf
Mr W, Thanks: great to hear your wise words. Thanks, too, for reminding us about that essay on being a "freier": http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/818353.html The fact that some Israelis define cheating as good, but being good (honorable–having integrity) as dopey–is as scary now as it was 2 1/2 years ago.
I've lived my whole life in Toledo, Susie moved to Columbus from somewhere else. She hates Israel, I love it. What does our being from Ohio have to do with this?
You seem to miss the irony that the US supports Arab tyrants…..and Israel. neither would survive without US support in one way or another. The US military keeps Israel afloat too. without the US, Israel woudl be an impoverished and vulnerable 3rd world country. Having said that, the US doesn't send a dime to the oil producing states, because those states happen to be America's creditors. Israeli leaders are sop deluded that one of them suggested boycotting the US, and using the aid we give them to buy weapons from other countries. Talk about chutzpah. Israel does offer the US something in return. We saw an example of that on September 11, 2001. In Ian 1 million marched in protest against the attacks and Israel's future prime Minister said the attacks were a good thing. That's what Israel offers the US. sand kicked in it's face.
Fine, then don't accept the coupons. It's abuot time Israle started buying it's own weapons. Israel's weapons industry wouldn't exist without the US, seeing as it relies on US technology and secrets, which Israel sells to China. Removing illegal settlements from land belonging to someone else is not ethnic cleansing the same way that returning a stolen car to it's owner is not theft. Without US support, Israel would become an impoverished 3rd world country. It's almost one already.
I agree; they have set up posts in at least 4 USA areas–the 5th column here is trying to prevent US mass access to them. God forbid we get a non-hasbara POV on our cable or satellite dish TV.
"His sanity and reasoning are very much in doubt now." On the contrary. The real issues that demand the attention are the settlements and a political settlement. What other issue is there? Netenyahu has been desperately trying to make this all about Iran, but cool hand Obama is not buying it. Bibbi was able to drive a wedge between Clinton and the republican Congress, but when he tried that trick between a democrat President and Democrat controller Congress, he came up empty. The entire world is breathing a huge sigh of relief that some reality and common sense has entered the debate about Us and Israel. US and British support for Israel is falling like a stone, even among evangelicals. The Israeli dead enders are freaking out and insisting sky is falling because as Abe Foxman warned, he is being even handed and fair,which to Israelis dead enders, means disaster.
All US citizens know the Saudis are despicable; we all know that our government only puts up with them as we need access to cheap oil. What the US citizens need to know is that Israel has nothing to offer and is a giant drain on our resources and good reputation. With nothing received in return except bad PR.
AGREED. Obama, please cut off all direct and indirect aid to Israel. The jews will be happy, and so will the americans, who need economic aid.
Or plain old "Sucker Money" – IMO that resonates across the nation.
Building a national movement here, Mike. Get on the bus, or get left behind.
Excellent suggestion Eitan. Sadly, Israel will turn into a 3rd world country, but hey, dems the breaks.
You misspelled "benefactor". In the context of your citation, the correct spelling is S-E-R-F, or under "Californian" rules of this blog: B-I-T-C-H.
Jake, Why can't you just have a democratic, multi-ethnic society, like civilized nations do – such as the United States, Canada and Iran?
ShingoLiar is also an idiot. The US doesn't send a dime to the oil producers? Paying $80 for a $20 barrel of oil is the standard technique that corporations (and crooks) use to move money from one country to another. Billions? Trillions? Flying gold bathtubs for Petro-Sheiks? ShingoLiar continues the Shingo tradition of bald lying. No Jewish Israeli politicians said that 9/11 was a good thing, though the PALESTINEANS were dancing in the streets. ShingoLiar, when faced with embarrasing facts, choose the obvious. Shingo Lies. This is why it is called ShingoLiar.
Ummm, cheap oil? Your paying through the nose for oil contributes to the Arab notion that Americans are easy pushovers… As for offering something in return, Israel and the USA have spent decades of military and intelligence co-operation which has benefited the US immensely. It is the US that would be lost in the dark without a local friend in the region.
Hi, Shahpur. Actually, 1 in 5 Israelis is an Arab citizen of Israel, most of whom are Muslim. Arabic is one of the official languages in Israel. Muslims have Islamic courts that are recognized by Israeli courts as having jurisdiction over Islamic religious affairs. Arabs are very well represented in the Knesset and some Israeli Arabs have even served in diplomatic posts overseas. It is the Arab societies surrounding Israel that are notoriously intolerant. Perhaps you should address your question to them.
ShingoLiar is blind, too. What other issues are there for Obama to deal with? Hmm… That's a hard one. Maybe unemployment in the USA? Nah, that doesn't bother ShingoLiar. How about the environment? Health care for Americans? Hmm… Maybe something in foreign policy. North Korea? Nah, too far. Russia? Iran's nukes? The failings in Iraq? Pakistan? Osama bin Laden? Terrorism? Bombings in Indonesia? Wait! I have it!! JEWS are RENOVATING apartments in Jerusalem! Yeah, that's the ticket! The most important issue of this administration! Shingo Still Doesn't Get It.
As a follow-up regarding that booklet given to IDF soldiers I mentioned in my original post here and others mentioned it should in all fairness be noted that the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America has now said that after its attention was drawn to the issue by Haaretz and after it examined the booklet that it absolutely and utterly repudiates same. Essentially it said that the booklet got out somehow under its name but that it had not really examined it at all beforehand and etc., and the Union then made what can only be termed a clearly sincere apology to Catholics and Catholicism for any offense given. It further reaffirmed its belief in good and respectful relations between all religions. As stated, seems genuinely horrified.
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